Spanish tourism up by 8% so far this year

SPAIN (contributed by Jimena Real Estate) With the local debt crisis keeping flights and living costs cheap, Brits in particular are flocking to Spain for a sun-seeking vacation in 2011, which could account for the 8% increase in air passenger arrivals as reported by Spain's public air navigation body. AENA reports that 95 million people have so far passed through Spanish airports, an increase that can also be explained by more low-cost airlines focusing their efforts on the attractive and affordable nation - the number of flights scheduled to Spain has increased by 2.5% compared to H1 2010. Brits in particular continue to take a shine to Spain, with bookings to the country up 11% so far this year according to the Association of British Travel Agents, and four of Easyjet's top five destinations of the moment being Spanish cities - Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Madrid and Alicante.>>>

"It is hardly surprising that destinations such as Palma de Mallorca made Easyjet's top five list", says Ignacio Osle, sales director of locally based property agents Taylor Wimpey de Espana. "Considered one of the most popular locations in which foreign nationals search for a second home, holidaymaker and property hunters are attracted by Mallorca's sunnier skies, blue flag beaches and celebrity residents."

Despite its elite reputation, Mallorca was recently named the cheapest in a range of top European holiday destinations by a UK Post Office survey. When comparing the prices of basic holiday items in a family shopping basket, Mallorca beat out the Algarve, Corfu, Cyprus and several other destinations in terms of value for money. It's also one of the cheapest routes currently on offer with the low-cost airlines - one-way fares with Easyjet are as cheap as £22.99 even in the peak holiday months of August, which should make it that much easier for buy-to-let owners to get their properties to full occupancy.